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IAR Wishes You and Yours a Happy Holiday

Happy Holidays from the Illinois Association of REALTORS®! The IAR office will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday and the IAR Legal Hotline will be closed through Jan. 3. In the spirit of the season, check out this holiday video from the IAR leadership team. Who knew they looked so good in elf-wear?

Illinois REALTOR®: The Power of R

Watch your mailbox for the January issue ofIllinois REALTOR® magazine. Learn more about 2014 IAR President Phil Chiles and his plan to put the Power of R to work in the coming year. What else will you find in the latest issue?

Home Equity on the Rise in 2013

U.S. homeowner net equity holdings rose $2.2 trillion between the third quarter of 2012 and 2013 based on Federal Reserve data, real estate columnist Ken Harney writes. Read more at IARbuzz blog and find links to his column.

Share a new infographic from IAR that looks at the year-to-date gains made in home sales, prices and shorter days on market. Download a pdf | jpgversion. You can also find previous IAR infographics on the housing market and industry trends at IAR MarketStats.

Illinois Home Prices Up in November; Sales Dip Slightly

Illinois median home prices rose 7.4 percent in November compared to previous-year levels while home sales dipped 1.8 percent, according to the latest IAR housing report. As an IAR member you have exclusive access to county-by-county data, market talking points and more. Log in to Members Only IAR MarketStats. Nationally, existing-home sales declined in November but prices continued to show year-over-year growth,NAR reports.

Video: Illinois Home Price Gains Continue in November

Watch and share a new video from IAR on the Illinois housing market. Annual sales were down slightly in November, but year-to-date home sales for the first 11 months of this year are 19.5 percent higher than the same period of 2012.

IAR Legal Webinar: Wrap it Up and Start Anew

If you missed the Dec. 19 IAR Legal Webinar, you candownload a recording to view at your convenience. Attorneys Steve Bochenek and Betsy Urbance covered year-end items and new legislation of concern to REALTORS® in this one-hour webinar.

IAR Legal Hotline Closed for the Holidays

Reminder: The IAR Legal Hotline will be closed from Dec. 24-Jan. 3 and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 6.

Oak Park Alters Housing Ordinance After REALTOR® Input

IAR successfully suggested key changes to a crime-free proposal that could have hurt property owners. IAR Assistant Director of Advocacy and Local Issues Mike Scobey writes about the issue on the IARbuzz blog.

1,000 Points of Light Ambassador Campaign

Become one of 1,000 RPAC Ambassadors in 2014 and help protect your industry and private property rights. The deadline to sign up isMarch 31, 2014. Click hereto find program details, pledge cards and an acceptance letter.(Disclaimer: The Illinois REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) solicits contributions from IAR members only.)

Beat the Jan. 1 New Cell Phone Law and Save 25 Percent on Verizon Wireless Accessories

Be prepared for the Jan. 1, 2014, Illinois law prohibiting the use of hand-held phones while driving. IAR members get a 25 percent discount on select Verizon accessories, including Bluetooth. Click here to log in to the IAR/Verizon accessory site. User name is IARMEMBER and the password is IARBENEFIT1.

NAR: Best Home Design Trends from 2013

NAR's Styled, Staged and Sold blog highlights some of the winning design trends from the year including wood decors, large sinks and flexible furniture. Read more.